Coroner identifies SUV driver in collision that killed three on Howe Avenue

The driver of sport-utility vehicle involved in a fatal collision with a bicycle on Howe Avenue last week has been identified by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office as Iakopo Afoa, 22, a Sacramento-area resident.

In addition to Afoa, the bicyclist, 53-year-old Elizabeth Cavazos of Woodland, and a passenger in the SUV, Renee Pojol, 24, of Sacramento, died in the crash, which occurred shortly before 2:30 p.m. Thursday on Howe Avenue, north of Burney Way, in the Arden Arcade area.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Cavazos was southbound on Howe Avenue, riding a bicycle in the wrong direction in the northbound bicycle lane, when a 2008 Chevy Tahoe driven by Afoa drifted to the left across traffic lanes and struck the bicycle.

Cavazos, who was not wearing a helmet, was knocked off the bicycle and thrown more than 100 feet, according to the CHP. The SUV continued to the left, hitting a tree in Bellview Park.

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